Sierra Leone Past and Present International Conference 2012

Since the foundation of Freetown in 1787 and its incorporation into the British Empire as a crown colony in 1808, Sierra Leone has been closely connected with global changes emanating from the struggle to end slavery and to achieve a multicultural society whose origins can be traced to many parts of Africa, as well as Jamaica, Canada and Britain. The aim of this conference is to explore the diversity of the Sierra Leone past, and to place the modern history of Sierra Leone in historical perspective.

The conference will assess current scholarship on the history of Sierra Leone in its global context. The importance of Sierra Leone in the history of slavery, the abolition movement, colonialism, and inter-continental migration cannot be questioned. Since the foundation of Freetown in 1787 and its incorporation into the British Empire as a crown colony in 1808, Sierra Leone has been closely connected with global changes emanating from the struggle to end slavery. This conference will assemble scholars currently working on various aspects of Sierra Leone history and society. Through its history, Sierra Leone has been a multi-cultural society whose people can trace their origins to many parts of Africa, particularly Angola, Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea, Mali, as well as Jamaica, Canada, the United States, and Britain.

The aim of this conference is to explore the diversity of the Sierra Leone past. We believe that the modern history of Sierra Leone has to be placed in historical perspective as part of the process of truth and reconciliation that is required to promote international understanding. In 2011, Sierra Leone celebrated fifty years as an independent country. 2012 marks the tenth anniversary of the ending of the Sierra Leone civil war. A conference in Sierra Leone is essential to assess the current state of research and how that research can be disseminated within Sierra Leone and abroad.

All participants are required to pay a registration fee of US$150, except residents of Sierra Leone and students. Participants are responsible for their own accommodation and transportation, including cost of transport from the Sierra Leone airport to Freetown (via boat or helicopter). Local transportation between hotel and conference venue will be provided. Participants are advised that credit cards are not normally usable.

Sponsors

Sierra Leone Public Archives

Department of History, Fourah Bay College

Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples